Ministers disagree on precautions to tackle KFD cases
D'Souza says no proper coordination between health, forest depts
THE GOAN NETWORK
VALPOI
While the AAP and the BJP sparred over the government's response to the Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) in Sattari taluka, the issue also caused friction between two ministers and senior BJP colleagues as they openly differed on precautionary measures to tackle KFD cases.
At a joint meeting with Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar and officials of various departments in the Valpoi Community Health Centre in Valpoi to take stock of KFD cases in Sattari taluka, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Francis D'Souza was vocal in expressing his disappointment with the forest officials.
D'Souza brought it to the notice of Arlekar that there appeared to be no coordination between the health and forest departments, as forest officials were preventing veterinary officials or other visitors from entering the wildlife sanctuary.
However, Arlekar refuted the charges and defended the forest department by stating that the forest officials were taking precautionary measures for the safety of the people.
D'Souza, who was not convinced with Arlekar's response, shot back by stating that people have lived in the forests for ages and no one could stop them from entering the forest.
“Visiting the forest areas has been a tradition of the people as they go to collect firewood and they even have houses in the forest long before the wildlife sanctuary was declared. So, how can the forest department stop them from entering forest? In fact, 38 per cent of our land in Goa is forested area,” D'Souza reminded the forest minister.
The ministers then resolved their differences by agreeing to set up a committee of officials from various departments, including health, forest and veterinary, as well as to have a KFD control room at the mamlatdar's office in Valpoi.
Reiterating that the government is doing its best to tackle cases of Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) or monkey fever in Sattari taluka, D'Souza appealed to the people not to panic and to take precautions while visiting forest
“So far, 63 KFD cases have reported at the CHC Valpoi and the government is doing its best to tackle the situation arising out of KFD cases. The people in Sattari taluka should not panic and we appeal to them to take precautionary measures while visiting forest,” said D'Souza.
“Authorities have recovered 13 carcasses of monkeys and while 10 carcasses were disposed off three carcasses have been sent for testing and a report is awaited,” he added.
Others present at the meeting included DCF North Milind Karkhanis, director of Veterinary Services Santosh Dessai, Health director Dr Sanjiv Dalvi, Sattari Mamlatdar Dasharath Gawas and Valpoi CHC health officer Dr Surekha Parulekar.
